Duties

Summary

This position is located in the United States Department of Labor (DOL), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG). DSG works to ensure safe and healthful working conditions through the development of workplace standards (i.e., regulations) and guidance products which address significant workplace hazards.

- This position is inside the Bargaining Unit.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

Major duties for this position include but are not limited to, the following:

• Gathers and analyzes data and information (e.g., news, scientific literature, government sources) in areas of expertise or those assigned to identify hazards and possible means of abatement. Develops summary outlines of pertinent issues related to the hazard under review.
• Analyzes scientific information about workplace illness, disease, and/or health conditions in assigned health science discipline and related specialties. Analyzes sources of exposure, procedures, and existing occupational health programs.
• Researches, proposes, and/or participates in the formulation of innovative initiatives and programs to assist with compliance with OSHA standards, to promote understanding and acceptance of OSHA's mission and overall goals and objectives, and Foster a collaboration between OSHA and the workforce at large to create safe and healthy work environments in all industries throughout the United States.
• Prepares Requests for Information, gathers and evaluates responses, and incorporates results of analysis of additional input into overall research plans and methodology.
• Prepares and writes notices for publication in the Federal Register. Uses electronic methodologies to organize and analyze, and respond to public comments submitted to the Federal Register.
• Gathers and evaluates responses and incorporates results of analyses of additional input into overall plans and methodology.
• Writes and edits content for the proposed draft or final preamble to the standard and/or the text in the main other portions of the text standard.
• Provide excellent, consistent, and reliable customer service.
• Conducts research and assists in the development, writing and review of various rule-making sections (e.g., health effects, risk, regulatory text, summary and explanation of regulatory text, technological feasibility) for all documents at each stage of the rule-making process, including Requests for Information, Notices of Proposed Rule-making (Proposals) and Final Rules.
• Researches information and data to develop content for publications on a variety of occupational safety and health topics. Develops and writes for a variety of OSHA publications including Fact Sheets, Hazard Alerts, and QuickCards.
• Identifies sources needed to support a project. Reviews published literature and other scientific information. Extracts, collects, aggregates, and organizes information on workplace hazards to support agency rulemaking and guidance activities. Creates summaries to support project activities.
• Conceptualizes and creates presentations on occupational safety and health topics. Identifies subject matter content for use in presentations. Delivers presentations in a clear and concise manner. Answers questions from participants at stakeholder meetings, public hearings, and other public venues. Initiates contact with other groups within OSHA to develop networks to assist in assigned projects. Participates in both intra- and inter-agency work- groups.
• Represents OSHA and DSG to outside stakeholders and interested groups, organizations, and individuals. Prepares and delivers seminars and speeches/presentations. Develops written guidance documents to assist employers and employees in understanding the provisions of new or current standards or hazards. Writes and comments on additional guidance documents developed within or outside of OSHA that addresses workplace hazards to inform employers and workers. Interacts with stakeholders on issues of concern and their requests for Agency action.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Minimal travel may be required per year.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12 - There is no obligation to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Promotions are dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the need for an employee promoted to the higher level, and supervisory approval.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a Low Risk Public Trust clearance.
• Must be at least 16 years old and a U.S. Citizen.

Applicants must meet time-in-grade, time-after-competitive-appointment and qualifications requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the vacancy to be eligible for consideration for selection.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

Education

Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the following.

To qualify at the GS-11 level: Applicants must possess 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as experience dealing with workplace hazards and recommending effective measures to reduce or eliminate hazardous working conditions.

OR

Have a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree that is directly related to the work of the position.

OR

Have a combination of education and experience.

To qualify at the GS-12 level: Applicants must possess 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience is defined as experience recognizing potential occupational hazards, conduct studies and analyses to assess problems, and define issues regarding occupational health hazards.

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Additional information

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees' differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

Federal Employees Please Note: Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met and reflects your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. competitive/excepted). In some cases you may need to submit more than one SF-50.

Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION , ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION , FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Additional vacancies may be filled using this announcement, if authorized.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Click here for Evaluation details. For Displaced Employees ONLY: if you meet the eligibility requirements for special priority selection under ICTAP / CTAP , you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles will be considered "well-qualified" if they attain at least a rating score of 85 in a numerical rating scheme. Be sure to review DOL Account Eligibility Questions #24 and 27 to reflect that you are applying as an ICTAP/CTAP eligible and submit supporting documentation.

Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:

Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Research: Knowledge of the scientific principles, methods, and processes used to conduct a systematic and objective inquiry; including study design, collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; and the reporting of results.

Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short or long term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.

The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). Your evaluation may also include a review by an HR Specialist or panel and may include other assessment tools (ex. interview, structured interview, written test, work sample, etc). The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your vacancy question responses. If not, the HRO may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents.

The following documents are required from all applicants (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):

ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEE? If applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify the highest grade you held on a permanent basis, Pay Plan/Pay Schedule, Series, and Grade/Pay Band, and career status. Multiple SF-50 may be submitted to demonstrate your highest previous rate and eligibility.

*WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step and competitive status. For current DOL employees, an award SF-50 DOES NOT indicate grade and step.

- A writing sample is required during application submission (such as an academic research, policy or decision paper).

- Most recent performance appraisal/evaluation signed and dated within 18 months is requested by the agency, but will not disqualify candidates if not submitted. If not submitted during the application process, one may/will be requested at the time of the interview if the opportunity is extended. Applies to current and former Federal employees.

- Land Management Eligibles: a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) proving your eligibility for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act. This service must have been performed in the competitive service, under a time limited appointment in a Land Management Agency, as defined by P.L. 114-328. For more information, click here .

- Unofficial Transcript(s) (in English) - submit if using education as a basis for qualifying for this position. If so, you must submit all applicable academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the qualifying educational requirements (ex. BA/BS, MA, JD, PHD, etc). If specific course work is required to qualify, you must supply transcripts from each academic institution in which the required courses were taken in order to receive credit.

You may upload your transcript(s) as one document (3 MB size limit). If over 3 MB, please submit via fax feature.

OFFICIAL Transcripts MUST BE RECEIVED prior to selection and report date. Reference the "Education Section" for College Transcript and Evaluation of Foreign Education.

The following documents are required if applicable:

- Displaced Employee Placement Documents - Only required if requesting priority consideration under ICTAP / CTAP Eligibility.

- DD-214 - verifying military service, eligibility for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) and showing character of discharge (ex. Member Copy 4 and 2 are acceptable vs. Copy 1 which is not acceptable to adjudicate veteran's preference)

- Special/Non-Competitive Appointing Authority Documents - Applicants who are eligible for consideration, and wish to be considered, under one of the following non-competitive hiring authorities must submit appropriate documentation (click on the links below to see the documentation requirements):

Military Spouses (MISP)

- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted

Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship , and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.